Self-heated pressure sensor assemblies

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a self-heated pressure sensor assembly and method of utilizing the same. The self-heated pressure sensor assembly regulates and maintains the temperature of the pressure sensor, regardless of the external temperature environment, without an external heater as in prior art embodiments. Exemplary embodiments of the pressure sensor assembly incorporate a resistance heater that is built into the sensing chip of the pressure sensor assembly. The pressure sensor assembly also utilizes the resistance of the pressure sensing elements to monitor the temperature of the assembly, which works alongside the resistance heater to maintain a stable temperature within the pressure sensor assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a continuation application claiming priority under35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/143,956 entitled“Self-Heated Pressure Sensor Assemblies,” filed 2 May 2016 and publishedas U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20160245712 on 25 Aug. 2016and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,184,853 on 22 Jan. 2019. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/143,956 is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/621,511 entitled “Self-Heated Pressure SensorAssemblies,” filed 13 Feb. 2015 and published as U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 20160041056 on 11 Feb. 2016 and issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,354,133 on 31 May 2016, which is a continuation application claimingpriority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/622,241, filed 18 Sep. 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,984,951, whichissued 24 Mar. 2015, the contents of which are incorporated by referencein their entirety as if fully set forth below.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to pressure sensor assemblies, and moreparticularly to pressure sensor assemblies comprising built-inresistance heaters to aid in monitoring and maintaining a stablepressure sensor temperature.

BACKGROUND

Piezoresistive pressure sensors operate in a wide range of temperatureconditions, for example, from extremely low cryogenic temperatures toextremely hot temperatures often associated with gas turbine engines.While such sensors may operate over broad temperature ranges, theaccuracy of the sensor is often disrupted as prior art sensors are muchmore accurate when operating within narrower temperature ranges. Thereare many ways to correct for these inaccuracies, however. One way isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,006, which is assigned to KuliteSemiconductor Products, the assignee herein.

If the sensor is maintained at a stable temperature, however, suchmethods described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,006 are not necessary toachieve high accuracy. There are a few ways to maintain a stabletemperature. For example, prior art embodiments regulate and maintainthe temperature of a pressure sensor by incorporating an external heaterand an accompanying temperature sensor. The temperature sensor detects achange in temperature within the pressure sensor and cooperatively workswith an external heater to maintain a steady pressure sensortemperature. Such external heaters may be costly and may undesirably addto the overall size of the sensing device, therefore it is desirable toregulate and maintain the temperature of a pressure sensor without theadded cost and size of an external heater. It is to this need that thepresent invention is directed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention provide a method ofmaintaining temperature within a pressure sensor assembly, comprisingactivating a first plurality of resistive elements associated with apiezoresistive bridge enabling the piezoresistive bridge to measure anapplied pressure; monitoring a voltage across a first resistive elementof the first plurality of resistive elements associated with thepiezoresistive bridge, wherein the voltage is indicative of atemperature within the piezoresistive bridge; and activating a built-inheating element when the voltage across the first resistive elementfalls below or rises above a threshold value.

Other embodiments of the present invention provide a pressure sensorassembly, comprising a first resistive bridge comprising a plurality ofresistive elements adapted to measure an applied pressure and release avoltage indicative of temperature within the first resistive bridge; anelectronic device configured to receive the voltage indicative oftemperature; and a heating element integrated with the first resistivebridge and in electrical communication with the electronic device,wherein the heating element is activated by the electronic device whenthe voltage falls below or rises above a threshold value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a piezoresistive bridge ofa pressure sensor assembly coupled to a span resistor in series with thebridge in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of yet another piezoresistivebridge of a pressure sensor assembly comprising resistance heaterelements in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment ofa pressure sensor assembly comprising diffused resistance heaterelements in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail,it is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated.Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention is limited in itsscope to the details of construction and arrangement of components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orcarried out in various ways. Also, in describing the preferredembodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake ofclarity.

It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and theappended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Also, in describing the preferred embodiments, terminology will beresorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each termcontemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in theart and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similarmanner to accomplish a similar purpose.

By “comprising” or “containing” or “including” is meant that at leastthe named compound, element, particle, or method step is present in thecomposition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence ofother compounds, materials, particles, method steps, even if the othersuch compounds, material, particles, method steps have the same functionas what is named.

It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method stepsdoes not preclude the presence of additional method steps or interveningmethod steps between those steps expressly identified. Similarly, it isalso to be understood that the mention of one or more components in adevice or system does not preclude the presence of additional componentsor intervening components between those components expressly identified.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent likeelements, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are hereindescribed. It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions ofthe present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements thatare relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, whileeliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements found intypical pressure sensor assemblies and methods of making and using thesame. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that otherelements are desirable and/or required in order to implement the presentinvention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, andbecause they do not facilitate a better understanding of the presentinvention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.

The present invention provides a self-heated pressure sensor assemblyand method of utilizing the same. The self-heated pressure sensorassembly regulates and maintains the temperature of the pressure sensor,regardless of the external temperature environment, without an externalheater (as is commonly used in prior art embodiments). Consequently, thepresent invention increases the accuracy and stability of a pressuresensor assembly.

Exemplary embodiments of the pressure sensor assembly utilize existingelements (already equipped to measure an applied pressure) to indirectlymonitor temperature of the sensor, for example, resistors in the sensorcircuit may be used. One skilled in the art will appreciate thatresistors inherently change resistance with respect to temperature, thusalong with measuring an applied pressure, the resistance value ofexisting resistor elements may be indicative of the temperature of thesensor. Such resistance values may be communicated to a comparator, forexample but not limited to an analog comparator, which may thendetermine, based on the resistance values, whether the sensor needs tobe heated or whether heating of the sensor should cease. Further, thecomparator is in electrical communication with a built-in heatingelement and thus activates the heating element when the sensor needsheating and deactivates the heating element when heating is no longernecessary. This enables constant regulation and maintenance of thetemperature within the pressure sensor. The heating element may come invarious forms, for example, existing resistors may coincidingly serve asthe heating element, or the heating element may be a separate set ofresistors integrated with existing resistors, or alternatively, theheating element may be a separate set of resistors disposed above orbelow existing resistors. Each embodiment will be discussed in detailbelow. Alternately, a more complex digital circuit such as amicroprocessor may be used to control the temperature of the sensorusing the described heating elements. This may be useful in the casewhere a microprocessor is already being used for signal processing ofthe pressure signal.

Referring to FIG. 1, exemplary embodiments of the pressure sensorassemblies of the present invention may comprise a piezoresistiveWheatstone bridge 105 configured to sense an applied pressure. Oneskilled in the art will appreciate that Wheatstone bridges 105 generallycomprise four resistors configured to respond to an applied pressure.These resistors or other resistors used in or around the Wheatstonebridge 105 may be referred to as the “existing resistors.” Further, oneskilled in the art will appreciate that resistors inherently changevoltage value with respect to temperature, thus existing resistorswithin the Wheatstone bridge 105 can double as pressure sensors andtemperature indicators. Exemplary embodiments further comprise a spanresistor (R_(s)) 110 coupled in series to the bridge 105. The spanresistor 110 may be configured to monitor voltage at a node connectingthe span resistor 110 to the bridge 105. This voltage is indicative ofthe voltage of the existing resistors within the bridge 105 and thus isalso indicative of temperature within the bridge 105, as previouslydescribed. The span resistor 110 may then electrically communicate thevoltage information to a comparator, which determines whether thevoltage level has fallen below or risen above a threshold. Thecomparator may then activate or deactivate the heating element,respectively, to maintain a stable temperature within the pressuresensor assembly.

As previously mentioned, the heating element of the present inventionmay be configured in several ways. As a first example, illustrated inFIG. 1, existing piezoresistive elements found in traditional Wheatstonebridges may coincidingly serve as the heating element. As a secondexample, illustrated in FIG. 2, a separate set of resistors may beintegrated with existing piezoresistive elements found in traditionalWheatstone bridges, wherein the separate set of resistors serve as theheating element. As a third example, illustrated in FIG. 3, a resistanceheating element comprising additional resistors may be diffused into asilicon wafer such that it is positioned beneath standard piezoresistiveelements found in traditional Wheatstone bridges, wherein the additionalresistors serve as the heating element.

In a first exemplary embodiment, existing piezoresistive elements withinthe Wheatstone bridge 105 may be coincidingly used as both the pressuremeasurement element and the heating element. Because piezoresistors areresistive elements, they inherently act as heaters when large enoughcurrents are passed through them. Thus, this embodiment can beincorporated into conventional pressure transducers, as well asdiffused-type sensors and silicon on insulator (SOI) sensors withoutmodification because the same, standard electrical connections may beused for both heating and pressure measurements.

In this embodiment, if the comparator determines that the sensor shouldbe heated, it may send a signal that applies a relatively large DCvoltage to the piezoresistors to enable heating. Simultaneously, asmaller AC voltage can be continuously applied to the piezoresistors toenable pressure measurements. The coupling of the AC voltage removes theDC voltage used for heating purposes from the pressure measurement toensure the heating mechanism does not interfere with the pressuremeasurement. In a similar manner, the temperature measurement can bemade by AC coupling the measurement of the voltage on the span resistorto remove any DC bias. One skilled in the art will appreciate that thiselectrical configuration may also be reversed, i.e., the AC voltage maybe used for heating purposes and the DC voltage may be used for pressuremeasurement purposes.

Alternatively, alternating DC and AC voltages may be applied topiezoresistive elements to alternate heating and the ability to takepressure measurements, respectively. For example, if only intermittentheating is needed (e.g., when operating in a relative stable externalenvironment), the bridge 105 may be temporarily heated via a DC voltageand subsequently switched off to accommodate the application of an ACvoltage to enable pressure measurements before the bridge 105 coolsdown. After the pressure measurement is complete, heating of the bridge105 may subsequently resume as needed to maintain the overalltemperature of the bridge 105. Thus, the DC and AC voltages can bealternatingly applied to alternatingly heat and take pressuremeasurements. Again, one skilled in the art will appreciate that thiselectrical configuration may be reversed, and the AC voltage may be usedfor heating purposes and the DC voltage may be used for pressuremeasurement purposes.

In yet another example, the same DC voltage may be used for both heatingpurposes and pressure measurement purposes. One skilled in the art willappreciate that because the output voltage of the bridge is ratiometricwith the input voltage, it is possible to ratio all of the outputs tothe input voltage, which enables the same DC voltage to be used forheating and measurement purposes.

In some instances, it may not be possible to use existing piezoresistiveelements for both heating and pressure measurement purposes. Thus, in asecond exemplary embodiment, additional resistors 220 (distinguishablefrom existing piezoresistors 215 traditionally found in Wheatstonebridges) may be integrated with existing piezoresistors 215, asillustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the additional resistors 220 serve as theheating element and the existing piezoresistors 215 maintain its primaryfunction of pressure measurement (and temperature monitoring).

The additional resistors 220 may be of a lower resistance than thestandard piezoresistors 215 of the bridge 205. Because the additionalresistors 220 may be of a lower resistance, a lower voltage may be usedto heat the additional resistors 220, therefore making the voltagelevels more compatible with standard sensor operation. Further, theadditional resistors 220 may be strategically placed around the standardpiezoresistors 215 to provide even heat distribution over the bridge205. In embodiments where DC voltages are to be used for both heatingand pressure measurement purposes, it is preferable, but not necessary,to incorporate at least one bonding pad 225 adapted to supply a separateDC voltage to the additional resistors 220. This bonding may be linkedto the bridge resistor via a linkage 230 or it may be a completelyisolated circuit. Alternatively, the same DC voltage can be used forboth the additional resistors 220 and the standard piezoresistors 215,and the ratio of the outputs can be compared to the DC input, aspreviously described. In other embodiments, the bonding pads 225 mayutilize both AC and DC voltages, as also previously described.

The third exemplary built-in resistance heater embodiment may be usedfor SOI sensors specifically, however the embodiment may be used forother pressure sensor assembly configurations as well. As one skilled inthe art will appreciate, the piezoresistive gauges in SOI sensors may beelectrically and thermally isolated from a silicon semiconductor by athin oxide layer. Depending on the heating accuracy needed for a typicalapplication, this may not pose a problem. However, for certain highprecision applications, the extra thermal resistance may create uneventemperature gradients, which may lead to small inaccuracies. To addressthe challenges associated with some SOI sensors, and further referringto FIG. 3, a resistance heating element 305 may be diffused into asilicon wafer 310 such that it is positioned beneath an oxidized surface315 of a silicon wafer 310. A second silicon wafer 325 is then bonded tothe oxidized surface such that the pressure sensing piezoresistors aredirectly above the heating elements. The entire sensing element can thenbe bonded onto a glass insulator 320 to isolate the chip bothmechanically and thermally from the packaging. This insulator 320 caneither be mounted to the front side of the chip as illustrated in FIG. 3in leadless packing designs or to the back side in a traditional ballbonded configuration. As previously described, bonding pads 330 may beincorporated to supply a separate DC voltage to the heating element 305.The bonding pads 330 may be connected to the main bonding pads of theresistance pattern 325 by metal traces or can remain separate andisolated from the main bonding pads.

In this third exemplary built-in heater embodiment, because the heatingelement 305 is embedded into the silicon 310, which is an excellentthermal conductor, the heat applied to the piezoresistors of theresistance pattern 325 is evenly distributed. Further, the heatingelement 305 is positioned over the piezoresistors of the resistancepattern 325, and thus on a separate layer, which prevents wire tracesfrom the heating element 305 and the piezoresistors of the resistancepattern 325 from crossing. Also, because the heating element 305 is theonly element diffused into the silicon 310, there is no worry aboutleakage currents at high temperatures. Again, heating may be carried outin several different ways. For example, the heating voltage and pressuremeasurement voltages may be alternatively activated, or the heatingvoltage may be activated as needed to maintain a steady sensortemperature, as previously described.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications andvariations may be made in the apparatus and process of the presentinvention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.It is intended that the present invention cover the modification andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A method of controlling a temperature of a pressure sensor having aplurality of piezoresistive elements, the method comprising: during afirst portion of a sensing period: receiving at an input port of thepressure sensor and from a controllable voltage source, a pressuresensing bias voltage; sensing a pressure-indicative output voltage at afirst output port of the pressure sensor; and monitoring atemperature-indicative output voltage at a second output port of thepressure sensor; during a second portion of a sensing period, andresponsive to the monitored temperature-indicative output voltage beingbelow a threshold value: receiving at the input port and from thecontrollable voltage source, a heating voltage, wherein the heatingvoltage is controlled based on the monitored temperature-indicativevoltage; calculating, based on the pressure-indicative output voltage,an indication of pressure applied to the pressure sensor; and outputtingthe indication of pressure.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thepressure applied to the pressure sensor is calculated based on a ratioof the pressure sensing bias voltage and the pressure-indicative outputvoltage.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofpiezoresistive elements of the pressure sensor are configured as aWheatstone bridge.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the piezoresistiveelements of the pressure sensor are existing resistors of the Wheatstonebridge.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the piezoresistive elementsare configured to provide pressure and temperature indications.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the input port is coupled with span resistorin series with the pressure sensor.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first output port is directly coupled to at least one of theplurality of piezoresistive elements.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinapplying the pressure sensing bias voltage comprises applying analternating current (AC) signal to the input port of the pressuresensor.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion of thesensing period and the second portion of the sensing period overlap. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein monitoring the pressure-indicative outputvoltage comprises AC output coupling the pressure-indicative outputvoltage while DC output coupling the temperature-indicative voltage. 11.The method of claim 9, wherein monitoring the pressure-indicative outputvoltage comprises DC output coupling the pressure-indicative outputvoltage while AC output coupling the temperature-indicative voltage. 12.The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring thetemperature-indicative voltage at the second output port of the pressuresensor during the second portion of the sensing period.
 13. A system,comprising: a piezoresistive bridge comprising: a plurality ofpiezoresistive elements configured to provide pressure and temperatureindications; an input port configured to receive a first controlledvoltage for pressure sensing and a second controlled voltage fortemperature sensing of the piezo resistive bridge; a first output portconfigured for monitoring a pressure-indicative output voltage of thepiezoresistive bridge; a second output port configured for monitoring atemperature-indicative output voltage of the piezoresistive bridge; acontrollable voltage source coupled to the input port; a comparatorcoupled to the second output port and configured to control thecontrollable voltage source based on the temperature-indicative outputvoltage.
 14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a span resistorcoupled to the input port and configured in series with thepiezoresistive bridge.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein one or moreof the first output port and the second output port are directly coupledto at least one of the plurality of piezoresistive elements.
 16. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the controllable voltage source isconfigured to selectively apply to the input port: a pressure sensingbias voltage during a first portion of a sensing period; and a heatingvoltage during a second portion of the sensing period, wherein theheating voltage is controlled based on the monitoredtemperature-indicative voltage.
 17. The system of claim 13, furthercomprising a microprocessor, the microprocessor configured to: monitorthe pressure-indicative output voltage; and output a pressure signalindicative of the pressure applied to the pressure transducer.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to:determine, by a ratio of the pressure-indicative output voltage and thefirst controlled voltage, a pressure applied to the pressure transducer;and output the pressure signal indicative of the pressure applied to thepressure transducer based on the determined ratio.
 19. The system ofclaim 13, wherein: the first portion of the sensing period and thesecond portion of the sensing period overlap; the pressure-indicativeoutput voltage comprises AC (alternating current); and thetemperature-indicative voltage comprises DC (direct current).
 20. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein: the first portion of the sensing period andthe second portion of the sensing period overlap; thepressure-indicative output voltage is characterized by DC (directcurrent); and the temperature-indicative voltage is characterized as AC(alternating current).